The Lagos State House of Assembly has taken a decisive step to address the growing concerns over exorbitant and arbitrary rent increases across the state, calling on the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to enforce the Tenancy Law of Lagos State (2015).
The move is aimed at protecting tenants from illegal rent hikes and curbing the rising rate of homelessness.
This resolution was passed during Tuesday’s plenary session, following a motion raised by Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, representing Ajeromi Ifelodun Constituency 1.
He decried the unchecked rental practices by landlords and highlighted that many Lagos residents are being forced into homelessness due to unregulated and excessive rent increases.
“Section 37 of the Tenancy Law explicitly prohibits such unreasonable rent increments and provides tenants with legal protection,” Hon. Olumoh emphasized, urging the House to act as a voice for the vulnerable.
Alongside the call for enforcement, the House also urged the Commissioner for Information and Strategy to intensify public awareness campaigns to educate both landlords and tenants on their rights and responsibilities under the Tenancy Law.
The Lagos State Tenancy Law 2015 provides a framework to guide landlord-tenant relationships. It addresses issues such as rent control, proper notice periods for termination, limits on rent payable in advance, and the prohibition of illegal evictions. It also frowns on landlords using force or intimidation—also known as “self-help”—to eject tenants.
The motion received widespread support from several lawmakers, each pointing to the harsh realities faced by tenants in their constituencies:
Hon. Desmond Elliot (Surulere Constituency 1) lamented that while infrastructure upgrades are improving standards of living, they have inadvertently caused a spike in rent prices, making housing unaffordable for average residents.
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“This is a menace to society,” he said. “The House must act now as the last hope of the common man.”
Hon. Aro Moshood (Ikorodu Constituency 11) criticized landlords who raise rents without following legal notice procedures and highlighted the plight of minimum wage earners struggling to afford even basic accommodation.
However, Hon. Shabi Adebola (Lagos Mainland Constituency 11) called for a balanced approach, noting that the rising cost of building materials must also be considered.
He urged the government to invest in low-cost housing initiatives to provide alternatives for low-income earners.
Reacting to the deliberations, Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa described the rent crisis as a multifaceted issue that cannot be addressed in isolation.
“We need to look beyond rent hikes and consider the soaring cost of construction materials,” Obasa said. “There should be an interface between real estate agents, landlords, and investors to find a sustainable solution.”
To move the resolution forward, the Speaker directed the House Committee on Housing, led by Hon. Ege Olusegun (Ojo Constituency 1), to convene a meeting with Hon. Olumoh, Hon. Elliot, and relevant stakeholders to explore actionable solutions and legislative enforcement.
In a separate development, the House also passed a bill to establish the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, which aims to nurture and develop value-driven young leaders in Lagos State.
The academy will serve as a platform to groom the next generation of leadership through training, mentorship, and civic engagement.
Speaker Obasa directed the Acting Clerk, Mr. Abubakar Otun, to forward a clean copy of the bill to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for executive assent.
With the latest resolution, the Lagos State Assembly has signaled its readiness to confront Lagos’s housing affordability crisis, urging greater compliance with existing laws and pushing for government-led solutions to ensure shelter is not a luxury beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.